People are wondering which sunscreens have enough SPF and whether the number on the label can even be trusted.<\/p>\n
Given an investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is ongoing, these are challenging questions to address specifically, but this is what we know so far.<\/p>\n
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Summer is just around the corner and many Australians are confused right now about which sunscreens they can trust. (chezbeate via pixabay\u00a0)<\/p>\n
The two big SPF issues<\/p>\n
There are two separate but related issues at stake. One is a public health issue \u2014 whether the SPF of a sunscreen provides adequate protection. The other is a labelling issue \u2014 whether the SPF on the label is what it says it is.<\/p>\n
All but one of the sunscreens tested by Choice returned an SPF of 24 or higher but health professionals are at pains to explain that all those sunscreens will still provide some level of protection from the sun’s harmful rays.<\/p>\n
Sunscreen brand pulls popular product off shelf <\/a><\/p>\n Sunscreen brand Ultra Violette is withdrawing one of its well-known products from the market over concerns of its Sun Protection Factor.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Australian “Nambour trial” found that everyday use of an SPF 16 sunscreen reduced the risk of skin cancer.<\/p>\n One of the study authors, Professor Rachel Neale, said the SPF level for this study was intended only for protection during incidental sun exposure such as during trips to the shops or hanging out the washing \u2014 not for working outside or a day at the beach. But she said it showed that even lower SPF sunscreen application could make a difference.<\/p>\n “The vast majority of sunscreens on our shelves will still have an SPF that is above 20, that was shown by Choice,” she said.<\/p>\n No sunscreens can block all UV radiation. According to the TGA an SPF 20 will filter approximately 95 per cent of UVB rays, an SPF 30 will filter about 97 per cent and an SPF 50 will filter around 98 per cent. The TGA considers anything above SPF 30 “effective protection”.<\/p>\n But SPF also relates to how long you can stay outside before you start to get burnt.<\/p>\n “Put simply an SPF 50 allows you to stay outside for longer before you start getting pink than an SPF 30,” Neale said.<\/p>\n Loading…Different levels of protection<\/p>\n Neale said an SPF of more than 20 would provide an important layer of protection if applied liberally and often after you had sought shade, donned long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses, which was the public health message that goes with all sunscreen use.<\/p>\n But she said it was important to understand that there was a difference between everyday sunscreen use for unintended sun exposure and the much higher level of overall sun protection required if people were planning on spending significant periods of time outside.<\/p>\n “It shouldn’t be your first line of defence \u2026 it’s not a suit of armour,” she said.<\/p>\n But then there are the sunscreens that may have an SPF of below 20.<\/p>\n “Something went very wrong with those sunscreens that tested at four,” Neale said.<\/p>\n